Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is a shrub native to South Asia and most popularly known as a natural cosmetic dye, either used to dye the hair (especially grey or fading hair) a beautiful reddish, copper color, or to paint the skin with intricate designs in traditional Indian/ South Asian body art (known as mehndi).

But being so well-known for these uses, its medicinal potential in Ayurvedic herbal healing is often overlooked, even though it is found in many ancient Ayurvedic herbal preparations for a variety of ailments.

Read more to find out some of the amazing Ayurvedic properties of Henna!

Ayurvedic properties of Henna

Henna is considered to be a very effective cooling herb (śīta) which helps to reduce excess pitta in the body. Much of its Ayurvedic healing potential traces back to this core quality. It thus has a natural anti-inflammatory effect, especially useful as a cooling paste or poultice for external applications such as:

Soothing arthritis and joint pain, swelling or tenderness
Reducing fever and headache
Soothing burns and superficial wounds, especially sunburn

As premature hair thinning, greying or balding is seen in Ayurveda to be due especially to an excess of internal heat (pitta), Henna is traditionally prescribed in Ayurvedic hair care for these conditions. As Henna also helps to control kapha to some extent, it is also recommended for controlling dandruff.

Henna is also a traditional remedy for treating certain types of insomnia.

Auromère products with Henna

Henna is an important part of Ayurvedic hair care, especially for those suffering from an excess of pitta and a resultant thinning or graying of hair, but also in conditions of excess kapha and dandruff problems. Auromere Neem plus 5 Shampoo and Ayurvedic Shampoo Bar are both formulated with Henna and are ideal for pitta-kapha body types.

And with its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, Henna is very helpful in Ayurvedic skin care for certain conditions and body types. It is included in Auromere Himalayan Rose (for sensitive skin) and Auromere Vanilla-Neem (for delicate or aging skin) soaps, both formulated for vāta-pitta body types.